SKiDL IntelliSense - VS Code extension for real-time KiCad validation

[ashergarland]

I built a free, open-source VS Code extension that adds real-time language intelligence for SKiDL Python files. It validates your KiCad library names, symbol names, footprint names, and pin names as you type, before you ever run the script.

What it does

• Error squiggles - Underlines invalid library, symbol, footprint, and pin names in real time with "did you mean?" suggestions
• Autocomplete - Context-aware completions for Part(" library names, symbol names, footprint=" strings, and part[" pin names
• Hover docs - Hover over a Part() call to see the symbol description, pin list, and default footprint
• Quick-fix code actions - One-click "did you mean?" replacements powered by fuzzy matching
• Cached indexing - Indexes your full KiCad install (~45s first time, <1s on subsequent startups). Auto-invalidates when libraries change.

Works with KiCad 7, 8, 9, and 10. SKiDL itself is not required to be installed; the extension parses .kicad_sym and .kicad_mod files directly.

Install

• VS Code Marketplace: SKiDL IntelliSense
• Source / issues: https://github.com/ashergarland/skidl-vscode

Example

# Typo in library name -- red squiggle + "Did you mean: Device?"
r1 = Part("Devce", "R", footprint="Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric")

# Invalid pin name -- red squiggle + available pins shown
r1["X"] += some_net  # Pin 'X' not found on symbol 'R'. Available pins: 1, 2

Would love feedback, bug reports, or feature requests. Happy to take PRs too.

[devbisme]

Very neat! Please announce it in the skidl github discussion. I'll also mention it in the skidl README.

[devbisme]

Ha ha! I just looked: I'm already in the discussion forum and this is your announcement. Never mind.